Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 11 August 2010 – 13:47
Author: Richard Cutcher

With Blackpool making the first signings of their Premier League era, Ian Holloways’ men will be looking to lift the recent crisis atmosphere that has engulfed the Bloomfield Road club. There have been rumours of resignations by both management staff and those in the boardroom, while a staunchly conservative approach in the transfer market has frustrated players and fans alike. First, lets look at the squad with which Holloway has to work.

Blackpool’s dramatic play-off promotion saw them follow in the foot-steps of both Hull and Burnley in reaching the Premier League. What will be concerning the Tangerine faithful however, is that where Hull succeeded in fighting relegation, Burnley did not, and Blackpools’ achievement in gaining promotion is arguably greater than both these teams. Burnley may not have increased their squad dramatically but there were significant additions, including the impressive Steven Fletcher and Tyrone Mears. Hull meanwhile spent big on wages, seeing the likes of Geovanni and Jimmy Bullard come in.

Loan market

It was a small squad even by Championship standards, and was supplemented by a number of influential loan signings. Both DJ Campbell and Seamus Coleman provided match-winning moments in games in the latter part of the league and play-off campaign, while Jay Emmanuel-Thomas produced a productive loan spell in the early part of the season. It remains to be seen whether fellow Premier League clubs are willing to send their starlets on loan to Bloomfield Road this time out, with Blackpool facing what many expect to be a miserable season at the seaside. None of the above loanee’s have returned to Bloomfield Road, with DJ Campbell especially frustrated with Blackpool and Leicester unable to agree a fee

New arrivals

There has been better news this week. The early rumours of an Ian Hollway resignation have been rubbished by the club, while on Wednesday morning the first four signings of the season were unveiled. It’s safe to say that they represent quantity rather than quality, although Holloway has at least brought in youth, with three out of the four additions under 23. Here is a brief lowdown of the four recruits:

Craig Cathcart: Signed for an undisclosed fee from Manchester United, this 6 ft 2 inch Northern Irishman is found most often at the centre of defence and in the 2008/09 spent a season-long loan at Championship club Plymouth Argyle. He became an integral part of their back four and ended the season with 30 appearances for the Pilgrims. Last season Cathcart made 12 appearances during a five month spell at Watford before returning to Old Trafford.

Ludovic Sylvestre: The oldest of the four new recruits, at 26 Sylvestre has already turned out for five clubs, including two appearances for Barcelona and a prolonged stay in the Barcelona ‘B’ team. Sylvestre has been signed by Holloway from Czech side Mlada Boleslav where the midfielder made 60 appearances in a two year spell. Prior to his spell at Boleslav, Sylvestre had been a Czech champion with Sparta Prague, but ultimately failed to hold down a regular first-team spot.

Elliot Grandin: This 22 year-old Frenchman had an unsuccessful trial at Stoke City last season, and was once valued at a reported €1m. Having signed for CSKA Sofia in January, the winger impressed in his 11 appearances, scoring 4 goals. Grandin made his name at SM Caen as a teenager before moving to Marseille in 2008, but failed to make an impact in Ligue 1. The Frenchman is usually found on the ride side of midfield but can also fit into an advanced position in the centre.

Malaury Martin: Having represented France at all levels other than senior, Martin represents the greatest prospect of these otherwise underwhelming summer signings. The 21 year-old has been on trial at Bloomfield Road for the past month, and Holloway must have seen some potential in the player. A 5 ft 10 central midfielder, Martin is enjoys playing a creative role from deep and could fit nicely into Holloways’ style of play. As a product of the AS Monaco academy, the Seasiders will be hoping this starlet has real potential.

The reality is that Blackpool fans are unlikely to be over-impressed by these additions. It is safe to assume they would have been hoping for at least a return to the club of the loan additions that served them so well last season. There have been attempts made by Holloway to recruit some of the top Championship players, but wage demands and competition remain an unassailable obstacle. Blackpool Chairman Karl Oyston has refused to compromise on the maximum weekly salary – a reported £10,000 – on offer to any prospective Blackpool signing. Rob Hulse, DJ Campbell and Angel Rangel have all been out of Holloways’ reach thus far, while the latest setback has come in the form Marlon Harewood. League One Huddersfield are rumored to be offering a more lucrative pay packet to the free-agent.

Key Men

Of the men who helped achieved promotion for Blackpool last season, there are few stand-out names who look capable of making a lasting impact in the elite league. Charlie Adam is the man most football fans outside of Bloomfield Road will expect to rise to the challenge, but the Tangerine Army will also be hoping that fellow midfielder David Vaughan can recreate his form of last season. Normally featuring on the left, but effective in the middle too, Vaughan flourished in the free-flowing football that Holloway encouraged. Keith Southern is another who enjoyed a faultless campaign, and the tenacious, tough-tackling midfielder offers some welcome strength to a midfield otherwise filled with silky ball players. Adding firepower to the likes of Brett Ormerod, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, and Jason Euell will be essential, while they’ll hope a defence that conceded 58 league goals last season will tighten up.

Tough Conditions

Blackpools’ best weapon in mounting a credible survival challenge is probably found at home. The open nature of the ground remains, despite Bloomfield Road undergoing neccessary development in the close season. The temporary East Stand, which originally housed just under 3,000 un-sheltered away fans, has been replaced with a new 5,000 capacity covered stand. The corners on either end of the stand have been left empty however, and the wind coming in off the Irish sea will continue to unsettle opposition teams. It will be intriguing to see what the likes of Arsenal and Man City make of the conditions and atmosphere at the Seasiders residence. Whether such natural interventions will be sufficient to disguise the lack of strength in the Blackpool squad is unlikely however, and while there may be some early triumphs for the fans to savor, their season looks destined to be one frustration.

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